Hello friends, I hope that you had a wonderful weekend. Mr. Decor and I accomplished several projects for some upcoming posts. I also took the time to create a Prairie Wonderland: A Guest Bathroom Refresh.
A Quick Makeover
Back in 2018 Mr. Decor and I made over our downstairs guest bathroom for under $1,000.
As it is the main downstairs bathroom it sees a lot of use. After five years certain elements such as the shower curtain, soap dispensers and rug were starting to look a little shabby.
It was time for a simple refresh.
We are planning two upcoming holiday gatherings and I thought it would be fun to include touches that fit this years holiday decor theme.
Drumroll please…
Prairie Wonderland: A Homespun Holiday
Believe it or not 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the television series Little House on the Prairie.
Several readers when viewing last year’s Little Women holiday theme had asked for a Little House theme. Now, I have done this theme before which you can see some of the previous posts HERE and HERE.
So how could I make it different?
I began to think about the many wintery scenes that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about so vividly.
Prairie Wonderland A Guest Bathroom Refresh
So how could a Little House inspired look be achieved in the bathroom of all places?
I started with the shower curtain.
I like to use an extra long shower curtain to draw the eye up to the pretty molding in our bathroom as well as to hide the small and drab window in the shower stall.
Laura Ingalls Wilder often writes about muslin fabric but I wanted something a bit more rustic. I thought a nice linen shower curtain would be lovely.
But linen fabric can be quite expensive.
I headed to HomeGoods to see if I could find some linen or linen blend window curtains that I could transform. This set of two panels was found for $19.99.
I envisioned a petticoat styled curtain.
How To Make An Extra Long Shower Curtain
For my space the 96″ long curtains would be perfect.
Here is the easy tutorial.
- Lay out the curtains and unpick the threads of the inner right side seam of the left curtain and the inner left seam of the right curtain.
- Using a French seam method sew the two inner seams together. (Linen frays excessively which is why a French seam is necessary.)
- Hang the curtain up to see where you should cut off the bottom excess fabric. (I used clip curtain rings.)
- Cut off the excess fabric and hem the bottom of the shower curtain. (You can absolutely stop here if you don’t want a ruffle.)
- If you want a ruffle, figure out the length and width. Generally for ruffles you want twice the width of fabric. In my case the shower curtain was 76″ across so I needed fabric that was 152″ across. The length is determined by how long of a ruffle you would like. Cut the fabric accordingly and join the width pieces with French seams.
- Hem the upper and lower edges of your excess ruffle fabric.
- Run two rows of gathering stitches across the top of the ruffle fabric.
- Pull the threads, gathering the fabric, until the ruffle is the exact measurement of the shower curtain.
- Pin in place and sew on.
You’re done!
Petticoat Junction
I think it absolutely looks like a rustic petticoat.
I couldn’t find any towels at the store that said Prairie Wonderland to me.
But as I kept up with my Holly Jolly Weekly Planner I came across a stack of antique towels when I cleaned out the cabinets in the guest bathroom.
I really need to always shop my home first.
The various towels were layered onto the large towel bar.
When we have overnight guest I generally lay stacks of towels on their room. I find guests prefer this as they don’t have to guess which towels they should use in the bathroom.
Don’t you just love the pretty details found on these antique gems?
Above the towels is an oil painting of pretty prairie flowers that I have had for a long time.
Given that it is cold and flu season I also like to offer some disposable hand towels.
The pretty bouquet nestled in cut glass crystal and silver tray also help to incorporate old fashioned elements.
In the shelves near the shower I added more artwork featuring cabins and landscapes.
Extra soap and towels can also be found.
The rug is proving to be a much harder find. I wanted something in shades of tan, white and soft pink.
This rug found on Amazon I can’t recommend. It’s ok for now, but I am keeping my eyes open.
Much More In The Series
Next Tuesday will officially kick off the weekly Prairie Wonderland holiday series with a Thanksgiving themed post as well as a video with recipes, crafts and more.
I hope you’ll join me on this magical journey.
Laura
auntie em says
Your guest bathroom turnout out so sweet. I love the soft gentle colours.
Karenann S. says
You did an amazing job with the shower curtain. It looks so beautiful! I love that you added the ruffle, I would have never thought of that. And your workmanship is so professional. I am going to use your tutorial myself for a shower curtain in my guest bathroom. I love the way you decorated your bathroom. It is so warm and inviting. Thank you for sharing with us!
Lynn C says
Oh Laura, this is so pretty! I love all your special touches.
It is so fun to read & watch all of your amazing talent come to life!
Xoxoxo
Vicki Stevens says
This Prairie Wonderland theme is AMAZING! As an avid Laura Ingalls Wilder admirer, I am all about the prairie/pioneer look. What you have done so far is so beautiful in keeping with the prairie theme. I love the shower curtain and your sweet little touches in the bathroom. I am very much looking forward to coming along with you on your journey to creating a Prairie Wonderland holiday, and hope to find some inspiration for more prairie looks that I can incorporate into my own little pioneer homestead.
Robin Jackson says
LOVE the ruffle on the shower curtain and everything you did in the bathroom. SO charming!
Susanne says
So pretty:)
Susan K. says
Oh so lovely! Simple Prairie with a touch of elegance!
Ginene says
Laura, this theme touched me because long, long ago, my grandparents and myself counted Little House of the Prairie as our favorite tv show. We wouldn’t miss an episode. But, suddenly, Grandpa died and after 60 years of life together, it was hard on Grandma to go up the winding staircase into what used to be their room and try to sleep at night. I had moved to Wisconsin and she told me that she listened to the radio at night in bed. There was one of those baby blue and clear pressed glass bed headboard lights over the bed that looked like a bullet. I was thinking about her laying there at night and I mailed her some Laura Ingalls Wilder books. She told me later that she was reading the one where the rope was tied between the barn and the house during the big snow storm and she said, “I got so cold reading that that I got up and put a comforter on the bed.” This would have been in the late 70s. That’s good writing, isn’t it?
P.S. You got a compliment on your handmade apron on my kitchen door window today!
Janice says
I loved seeing the snow angels drawing! For this California gal, that drawing from the books was one of my all-time favorites!
Susan Sikes says
Adorable!
jeanie says
I love the idea of starting with the bathroom! And it looks terrific, Laura. I like the new shower curtain and all the details are just right!
Dixie Lee says
At the library yesterday I noticed some anime/manga illustrations and was saddened by how they all look alike. I thought about all the illustrators of the books we read, and how different they were – and Garth Williams was one of the first I thought of – and Eloise Wilkins, Edward Ardizzone, Lois Lenski, Richard Scarry. It was lovely to see all those LIttle House illustrations. I wonder whether, if the original illustrations had been kept, the books would have endured as long as they have?
Looking forward to the rest of your holiday posts.
Debra Oliver says
Your guest bath is beautiful and that shower curtain is amazing. Also love love those precious illustrations!